The Northern Territory's population is the most youthful of all states and territories, according to the figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.

The population of the Northern Territory had a median age of 30 years as at the end of June 2003, the lowest for Australia. In comparison, Australia's median age, or the age at which half the population is older and half is younger, was 36 years.

Northern Territory also had a higher proportion of men and women under the age of 45 years, nearly 75%, compared to 63% for Australia. The only state or territory that approaches the Northern Territory was the Australian Capital Territory (67%).

In contrast, the proportion of the Northern Territory's population aged 65 years or more (4.2%) was less than half the proportion for all other states and the ACT. For Australia as a whole, 10.7% of the population were aged 65 years or more. South Australia had almost 15% of its population aged 65 or more.

There are more men than women in the Northern Territory. There are nearly 111 men for each 100 women at the end of June 2003.

Further details are in Population by Age and Sex: Australian States and Territories, June 2003(cat no. 3201.0)